The Link – Strathnairn Arts and Community Centre (Sales Office for Ginninderry)

As the name suggests this project had an aim to form a Link between two diverse clients – the development company of the new West Belconnen estate (Ginninderry) and the patron of the Strathnairn Arts precinct, ArtsACT. The new building will commence as a sales and operations office for the new West Belconnen suburban development. This facility is designed to meet environmental aspirations and to meet the developer’s initial requirements for the Sales and Operations Centre. As the sales function wanes, the building is designed to take on more community functions for the fledgling surrounding suburb; including hosting playgroups, community hall activities, community markets, small business operations and the like. Once the land sales function ceases, the building’s flexible design will allow it to accommodate the (final) function as a community arts centre for Strathnairn Arts. The new building will then to provide Strathnairn Arts with additional purpose-built community activity spaces and gallery spaces. It will also provide a space to accommodate practical art activities and related teaching spaces.

The Strathnairn site is located on the edge of the Molonglo River corridor with bushfire requirements and limited access to services such as sewer. Therefore, the facility incorporates a number of ESD initiatives including, 30kW PV solar system with battery storage, on site sewer treatment, rainwater reuse, recycled materials, xeriscape plantings and overland drainage, natural ventilation, LED lighting.